For a time, the calls to establish Prince Jing’s heir as the Crown Prince’s son grew louder.
Ever since these calls began, Prince Jin, who had thought his position secure, couldn’t sleep well for several days. He wanted nothing more than to kill the first official who made this suggestion.
But the calls had already started, and killing anyone wouldn’t help—Prince Jin suddenly had an epiphany, a thought bursting from the depths of his heart.
Who said killing someone wouldn’t help? What if Prince Jing’s heir died?
Just like with him and Fourth Brother, Fourth Brother had the upper hand, but with Prince Qi’s wife’s miscarriage, he immediately became the losing party.
Sometimes, a person’s life or death can indeed change the situation at crucial moments. It was true for Prince Qi’s wife’s unformed child, and even more so for Prince Jing’s heir.
Having already tasted success, Prince Jin couldn’t resist this temptation.
Killing Prince Jing’s heir was a good way to nip the problem in the bud, a shortcut to success, much easier than his painstaking efforts elsewhere.
Once the evil thought arose, it quickly fermented in his heart into a vast ocean, boundless and endless.
Prince Jin began to scheme in secret.
The entrance to Prince Qi’s mansion had been quiet for some time. Prince Qi sat in his study, smiling as he sipped his tea.
It seemed Third Brother had taken the bait.
His trusted advisor flattered him, “Your Highness is truly clever. Just by sending an anonymous letter to Censor Liu, reminding him that the Crown Prince’s son could be reinstated, you’ve made Prince Jin lose his composure…”
Prince Qi smiled and murmured, “It’s not that Prince Jin is impatient, but that the temptation is too great…”
That position, when it seems within reach, who could remain unmoved?
If it were him, he would probably eliminate the biggest threat without hesitation.
Besides, Prince Jin had already made a move once, so one more time wouldn’t make a difference.
Prince Qi began to anticipate what Prince Jin would do.
The incident with Young Chun happened in Jing Garden.
In April, Jing Garden was in full bloom, the scenery breathtakingly beautiful. It happened to be the deposed Crown Prince’s birthday.
Because of Marquis Lu’s demotion, everyone realized anew the deposed Crown Prince’s position in Emperor Jingming’s heart. Additionally, with the growing calls to reinstate Prince Jing’s heir as the Crown Prince’s son, all the princes came on the day of the deposed Crown Prince’s birthday.
Yu Jin, determined to go with the flow, naturally attended such an occasion.
Hearing hurried footsteps and cries about Prince Jing’s heir falling into the water, he immediately rushed with the crowd towards the lake in Jing Garden.
Young Chun had already been pulled out of the water. His eyes were tightly closed, and his abdomen was severely swollen.
Prince Jing’s wife had long lost her dignified demeanor. Like any mother who had lost her beloved child, she was wailing and screaming hysterically.